Introduction

The Hawaiian Pineapple Cake is one of those iconic desserts that instantly transports you to sunshine, ocean breezes, and tropical island flavors with every bite. Moist, sweet, and bursting with crushed pineapple, this cake brings a taste of the islands straight into your kitchen—no plane ticket required. It’s incredibly easy to make, comes together with simple pantry ingredients, and stays delightfully soft thanks to the natural juices from the pineapple.

This cake is beloved at summer picnics, birthdays, potlucks, church gatherings, and family celebrations. It has that nostalgic, old-fashioned charm—like something passed down from a grandmother’s recipe box—but with a tropical twist that keeps it fresh and exciting. The base cake is soft, tender, and naturally sweetened with pineapple, while the frosting is creamy, tangy, and loaded with even more tropical flavor. Whether served chilled, room temperature, or slightly warm, it’s always a hit.

One of the best things about Hawaiian Pineapple Cake is how forgiving it is. No fancy mixing methods, no layers, no decorating skills needed. You simply mix, bake, frost, slice, and enjoy. The cake absorbs moisture beautifully, which means it gets even better after a night in the fridge. Perfect for making ahead before holidays, summer BBQs, or family gatherings.

Let’s dive into this sunny, tropical dessert that tastes like vacation in a pan.

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 (20 oz) can crushed pineapple with the juice
• ½ tsp salt

For the Pineapple Cream Frosting:

• 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• ½ cup crushed pineapple, drained
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Optional Add-Ins:

• ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
• ½ cup shredded coconut
• Extra crushed pineapple for topping
• Toasted coconut flakes

Preparation

Step 1: Prepare the Batter

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Stir in the eggs, vanilla, and the entire can of crushed pineapple including the juice. The batter will be thick and chunky—that’s exactly what you want for a moist pineapple cake.

Step 2: Mix Until Combined

Stir the mixture gently until there are no streaks of flour left. Avoid overmixing; you want the cake to stay tender. If adding nuts or coconut, fold them in at this stage.

Step 3: Pour into Baking Pan

Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and pour the batter evenly into the pan. Smooth the top with a spatula so it bakes evenly.

Step 4: Bake

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 28–35 minutes, or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let the cake cool completely before frosting.

Step 5: Make the Frosting

In a mixing bowl, beat the soft cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar a little at a time until fully combined. Stir in the drained crushed pineapple and vanilla extract. The frosting should be thick, creamy, and full of pineapple bits.

Step 6: Frost the Cake

Spread the pineapple cream frosting over the cooled cake. If the cake is still warm, the frosting will melt—so cooling is important. Add toasted coconut or chopped pecans on top for extra texture.

Variation

1. Pineapple Coconut Hawaiian Cake

Fold 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut into the batter and sprinkle the frosting with toasted coconut for extra island flavor.

2. Pineapple Pecan Cake

Add chopped pecans into the cake and sprinkle more on top for a crunchy, nutty variation.

3. Hawaiian Layer Cake

Bake the batter in two 8-inch pans and layer with pineapple cream cheese frosting for a bakery-style celebration cake.

4. Pineapple Sunshine Cake

Replace some sugar with 1 cup crushed mandarin oranges added to the batter for a citrusy twist.

5. Pineapple Poke Cake

After baking, poke holes in the warm cake and pour a mixture of pineapple juice + sweetened condensed milk on top for extra moisture.

COOKING Note:

• Do not drain the pineapple for the cake batter—the juice keeps the cake incredibly moist.
• If using fresh pineapple, chop very finely and add ¼ cup pineapple juice for moisture.
• Let the cake cool completely before adding frosting, especially cream cheese frosting.

Serving Suggestions:

• Serve chilled for a refreshing tropical dessert.
• Garnish with fresh pineapple chunks or maraschino cherries for a classic Hawaiian look.
• Pair with vanilla ice cream, coconut ice cream, or whipped cream.
• Cut into squares for potlucks or celebrations.
• Serve with iced tea, pineapple lemonade, or a tropical fruit punch for a themed gathering.

Tips:

• For an extra fluffy frosting, beat the cream cheese and butter for at least 3 minutes.
• Make the cake a day ahead—the flavors deepen beautifully overnight.
• If you want sharper pineapple flavor, add ½ tsp pineapple extract to the batter.
• Toasting the coconut before sprinkling adds richer flavor and prevents sogginess.
• Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator, since the frosting contains cream cheese.

Prep Time:

10 minutes

Cooking Time:

30 minutes

Total Time:

40 minutes + cooling time

Nutritional Information (Approx. per serving):

Calories: 420
Protein: 4g
Sodium: 260mg

FAQs

1. Can I make this cake the day before?

Yes! This cake tastes even better the next day as the pineapple flavor deepens and the cake becomes extra moist.

2. Can I use fresh pineapple?

Yes, but chop it very finely and add ¼–½ cup pineapple juice so the cake stays moist.

3. Does this cake need to be refrigerated?

Yes—because the frosting contains cream cheese, always store it in the fridge.

4. Can I turn this into cupcakes?

Absolutely. Bake at the same temperature for 15–18 minutes.

5. Can I freeze Hawaiian Pineapple Cake?

Yes! Freeze unfrosted cake for up to 3 months. Add fresh frosting after thawing.

Conclusion

The Hawaiian Pineapple Cake is everything a great dessert should be—simple to make, beautifully moist, and packed with irresistible tropical flavor. With its sweet crushed pineapple, soft crumb, and creamy pineapple frosting, it’s a dessert that never fails to impress. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, bringing dessert to a potluck, or craving something sweet and summery, this cake delivers big flavor with minimal effort. Each bite feels like a mini vacation, full of sunshine and island comfort.

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